Access Keys:

How do you rate this information / service?

Find My Nearest
Enter your postcode to find services and information for your area on a map e.g. schools, libraries and GP surgery
Translate this web page

Planning Policy

Skip main menu

The Current Planning Policy Framework within Cumbria

The Development Plan is the starting point for considering planning applications for development in the county. Decisions should be made in accordance with it unless there are material considerations which indicate otherwise. The Development Plan for Cumbria currently comprises of:

  • the Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF) Core Strategy and Generic Development Control Policies,
  • District Council Local Plans and/or any adopted Local Development Framework Documents;
  • the 23 saved policies of the Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan
  • The North-West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)
  • National Planning Policy Statements and Guidance

Who is Responsible for Producing Planning Policy within the County?

Cumbria County Council is responsible for Minerals and Waste Planning Policy   across the Cumbria (with the exception of the National Parks) as it is responsible for considering planning applications for minerals and waste developments. Consequently the County Council is in the process of producing a Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF) for the County. The MWDF is a portfolio of statutory development plan documents. The Cumbria MWDF Core Strategy and Generic Development Control Policy Documents were adopted in April 2009. The Cumbria MWDF's Site Allocations Policies and Proposals Map has been submitted to the Secretary of State and are currently undergoing examination to determine if they are 'sound'. This document identifies the sites that will be needed in Cumbria (outside the two National Parks) for working and safeguarding minerals and for managing waste during the period to 2020. 

The County Council are also developing a small number of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) which cover broad county-wide strategic issues such as Wind Energy and Landscape Character. The Cumbria Wind Energy SPD was adopted in 2007. An updated Landscape Character Gudiance and Toolkit for Cumbria is currently in development. 

The District Councils have to produce Local Development Frameworks for all other types of development such as for housing and employment land. The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authorities are responsible for preparing their Local Development Frameworks for all types of development (housing, employment, minerals and waste). Information about the progress of the Districts and National Park Authorities on producing their Local Development Frameworks and of their current saved policies can be found on their respective websites - a list of which can be found here. 

Purpose of the Development Frameworks

The purpose of  these is to secure spatial planning, rather than just the allocation and control of land uses. To achieve this the local planning authorities take into account a wide range of economic, social and environmental factors that matter to the people of Cumbria and engage with communities and interested parties about them at an early stage.

The Development Frameworks have to conform to national policies and relate them in more detail to the characteristics of their respective plan areas.